What do you think?
Rate this book
Romano-British Coin Hoards
This is not a study of Romano-British coins per se , but rather a study of hoards found in the former provinces of Britannia. It combines both an introduction to hoarding, discussing some of the major discoveries in recent times, and an outline history of hoards and coinage from the early conquest period to the 5th century AD. Most of the examples cited are in the public domain and can be found in museums.
72 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2002
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 11, 2016
Richard Abdy gives a great overview of Roman coin hoards in Britain from the first to the fifth century AD.
After an introduction, he proceeds chronologically, including a variety of hoards as examples, and highlighting the important points concerning the (monetary) history of Roman Britain. Although there is much more, the following are some interesting observations:
Early Roman hoards in Britain:
- Until the third century, the denarius was the favorite denomination for hoarding; bronze hoards are much rarer and usually contain very few coins.
- There was a production gap of bronze coins from Claudian to Neronian times resulting in a first forging ‘epidemic’. Interestingly enough, some of the forged coins that continued to be in use after the resumption of production in AD 64 are countermarked!
The age of silver: denarius-based coinage in Britain during the second and third centuries:
- Domitian’s issues of denarii can be divided into three periods in terms of silver purity: 81-82 (91%), 82-85 (98%) and 85-96 (93.5%). Following Gresham’s law, the coins of the second period were the first to disappear from circulation.
- The largest known denarius hoard in Britain is the Shapwick Villa treasure (in context!): the location in a back room of the villa suggests an interpretation as the villa treasury.
- In late denarius hoards, there is a strong dominance of Severan issues, which can be partly explained by the great debasement of 194-5 (silver purity lowered to 50%). Another reason could be Septimius’ “military adventure” in Britain from 208 to 211.
The age of debased silver and extreme hoarding in Roman Britain:
- Before 268, debased sole-rule Gallienus coins didn’t effectively enter circulation in the areas using Gallic usurpers’ coinage.
- Reformed as well as unreformed radiates stayed in circulation at least until 296 (the end of the British usurpers’ rule), which is demonstrated by the Normanby and Blackmoor hoards.
- In 354, the larger bronze issues as well as the centenionalis were condemned. From the FEL TEMP REPARATIO issues (introduced in 348), only the smallest issue continued to be produced.
Hoards of the later fourth and fifth centuries: the end of Roman Britain and beyond:
- Gold and good silver reappeared during the final phase of Roman Britain.
- Lots of silver coins are clipped – a very British phenomenon.
The book is fun and interesting to read for everyone who wants to be introduced to Roman coin hoards in Britain.
After an introduction, he proceeds chronologically, including a variety of hoards as examples, and highlighting the important points concerning the (monetary) history of Roman Britain. Although there is much more, the following are some interesting observations:
Early Roman hoards in Britain:
- Until the third century, the denarius was the favorite denomination for hoarding; bronze hoards are much rarer and usually contain very few coins.
- There was a production gap of bronze coins from Claudian to Neronian times resulting in a first forging ‘epidemic’. Interestingly enough, some of the forged coins that continued to be in use after the resumption of production in AD 64 are countermarked!
The age of silver: denarius-based coinage in Britain during the second and third centuries:
- Domitian’s issues of denarii can be divided into three periods in terms of silver purity: 81-82 (91%), 82-85 (98%) and 85-96 (93.5%). Following Gresham’s law, the coins of the second period were the first to disappear from circulation.
- The largest known denarius hoard in Britain is the Shapwick Villa treasure (in context!): the location in a back room of the villa suggests an interpretation as the villa treasury.
- In late denarius hoards, there is a strong dominance of Severan issues, which can be partly explained by the great debasement of 194-5 (silver purity lowered to 50%). Another reason could be Septimius’ “military adventure” in Britain from 208 to 211.
The age of debased silver and extreme hoarding in Roman Britain:
- Before 268, debased sole-rule Gallienus coins didn’t effectively enter circulation in the areas using Gallic usurpers’ coinage.
- Reformed as well as unreformed radiates stayed in circulation at least until 296 (the end of the British usurpers’ rule), which is demonstrated by the Normanby and Blackmoor hoards.
- In 354, the larger bronze issues as well as the centenionalis were condemned. From the FEL TEMP REPARATIO issues (introduced in 348), only the smallest issue continued to be produced.
Hoards of the later fourth and fifth centuries: the end of Roman Britain and beyond:
- Gold and good silver reappeared during the final phase of Roman Britain.
- Lots of silver coins are clipped – a very British phenomenon.
The book is fun and interesting to read for everyone who wants to be introduced to Roman coin hoards in Britain.
Displaying 1 of 1 review